Monday, December 7, 2009

Festival Roundup

It's the end of the year. Festival time! For some odd reason, the Sahara likes to cram its festivals on top of one another, back to back, at the coldest time of the year. Make sure you bring a warm coat and mittens. Many of the festivals have important cultural and social objectives -- see the attached links for more information. Hopefully this year will find a good amount of foreign visitors, not scared of by a few unfortunate but isolated security incidents. But as a friend told me: "We don't need tourists to have a good time." The party continues as planned.

The Saharan Nights of EssoukEssouk, Kidal Circle, MaliJanuary 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2010"The Essouk festival is a three-day celebration of music and culture, aimed largely at a local audience of nomads, but also at festivalgoers from other parts of Mali, Africa and the world."*due to financial reasons, this has been shifted to Feb. or March - stay tuned.*http://www.keltinariwen.org/UK/1-presentation-festival.html

Festival au DesertEssakane, Timbouctou Circle, MaliJanuary 7th, 8th, 9thThe large and well known international festival, hosting over 30 music groups. Everyone who's anyone from Mali and W. Africa -- Tinariwen, Amadou and Mariam, Afel Boucoum, Vivian N'dour, Dimi Mint Abba -- and quite a few from abroad as well. A special anniversary, celebrating its 10th year.http://www.festival-au-desert.org/

Festival TamasonghoiBourem, Gao Circle, MaliJanuary 12th, 13th, and 14th 2010A new festival, in its debut year. A long list of artists, both Tamashek and Songhai, including Etran Finatawa, Tamikrest, Kanna, Atia, Douma, Amanar, and Azawagh.http://festivaltamasonghoibourem.unblog.fr/

Who

Disclaimer

The field recordings found here are the works of the artists. Whenever possible, I have tried provide detailed information and consent for the public use of the recordings. Please respect the rights of the artists. If there is something here that interests you, or that would be like to use, please contact me and I can put you in touch with said musicians.